6 Ways You Can Make Money as a Test Subject
What do your brain, your body and your child’s toy box have in common? They can all score you extra cash!
From market research to medical tests, being a test subject offers an opportunity for people young and old to fatten up their wallets with cash, checks and gift cards. If you’re willing to try a new product or experience and share your thoughts with its creators, you could give your bank account a boost.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to make money as a test subject.
6 Ways to Make Money as a Test Subject
1. Sign Up for Medical Tests and Trials
If you don’t mind being poked and prodded, this may be a great gig for you.
Be prepared to fill out lots of paperwork on your medical history and, in many cases, show proof to support what you’ve listed. This may include providing copies of your charts or having a physical or other tests done to determine if you qualify.
Since criteria vary from test to test, your participation in one research study doesn’t guarantee you a slot in another study — in fact, it may even disqualify you!
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which has nearly 3,500 volunteers participate in its studies each year, says it “compensates study participants for their time and, in some instances, for the inconvenience of a procedure.” Time is compensated at a standard rate, while inconvenience rates vary.
The NIH suggests that people interested in volunteering consider the risks and possible side effects of a study before taking part.
2. Participate in Psychological Research Studies
Looking for something less invasive? Consider participating in a psychological research study, for which you can be paid per hour in cash or gift cards. Rates can vary from $10 to $50 an hour to a flat rate for participation.
It’s not as scary as you might think. Many studies look for insights into human thought and behavior, including memory, decision making, learning and perception.
It’s no surprise that the best place to find opportunities like this is at a large university. For example, Harvard and the University of Maryland boast outstanding psychology research programs.
Don’t live near those schools? No worries. Some universities, like Stanford, allow online participation.
Make sure to read the fine print before signing up. While many research studies pay via bank check, PayPal or gift cards, some simply enter you in a draw where you could potentially win money. Also, many universities offer class credit for participation, so you must select your “payment” carefully if you are looking to earn cash.
3. Get Paid to Eat as a Food Taster
Put your taste buds to the test and earn money as a food taster.
There are basically two types of taste testing positions: those that are full-time jobs and those that are essentially consumer surveys.
The full-time kind of gig can be a great way to make a living, but those jobs are super hard to get. The consumer surveys are more within most people’s reach, and they’re a fun way to pick up a little extra income.
For example, Contract Testing Inc. is one of the big daddies of the taste testing industry, and it tests a wide variety of products for lots of manufacturers. To get started, you register with CTI and create a profile. To be frank, it helps to live near one of its nearly 20 North American locations, where the taste testing happens.
Locations in the U.S.: Atlanta; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Milford, Connecticut; Mount Prospect, Illinois; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; Phoenix; and Troy, Michigan.
Locations in Canada: Brampton, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Montreal, Quebec; Toronto, Ontario; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
For other options, check out our article on the topic.
4. Share Your Thoughts Through Market Research
You know what they say about opinions, don’t you? Well, since “everybody’s got one,” why not start getting paid for yours?
Since companies run off the basic principles of supply and demand, they want to hear from people like you to see what the market is demanding, so they can supply it.
How does it work? Participants in focus groups earn money for giving their honest feedback, often in the form of a survey or group discussion.
Participation in these focus groups is based largely on your demographics. When you sign up for a research group’s database, you’ll answer a number of questions to determine which studies you qualify for.
Ready to try a focus group? Some companies to contact include 20|20 Panel, Focuscope Inc., MindSwarms (online participation), Mediabarn Research and Limelight Insights.
5. Get Your Kids Involved as Toy Testers
If you’re toying around with the idea of market research, why not get your kids in on the action?
If you live near El Segundo, California, the Mattel Imagination Center is a great option for kids (typically ages 3-13) to test out toys in exchange for a toy and/or a gift card. (Parents will also receive a gift card.)
Hasbro has a toy-testing program through its FunLab in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, which does in-person and online testing.
The best way to get your family involved in one of these opportunities is by following the toy company’s social media feeds. As you might imagine, people don’t “play around” when it comes to toy testing; the competition can be tough. Often, the companies hold contests and select new testers from the pool of entrants.
6. Get Paid for Jury Duty as Part of a Mock Trial
Another way your opinion can earn you some extra money is by being a surrogate juror. If you meet the requirements for regular jury duty, attorneys in your county or federal district may pay you to review a case and give feedback.
Check out opportunities to participate in mock trials in person through companies such as Sign Up Direct or online through sites like Online Verdict.
And the best news? According to Penny Hoarder contributor Steve Gillman, who made $150 by spending a day participating in a mock trial, they tend to pay you (and feed you) better than actual jury duty. How much better? Depending on how complicated the case is, you can expect to make $20 to $60 per hour.
Leah Thayer is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder. Senior staff writer Mike Brassfield contributed to this article.
